Olympic champion Vincent Hancock was one of three shooters to top qualification in Lonato ©Getty Images

United States’ Vincent Hancock, France’s Nicolas Lejeune and Italy’s Luigi Lodde led men’s skeet qualification at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Lonato.

The three shooters were well-matched throughout qualification today, scoring 25 points in each of the three rounds.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Hancock, Lejeune and Lodde will head into the second day at the top of the leaderboard, after ending on a total of 75.

Germany’s Vincent Haaga and Egypt’s Azmy Mehelba followed on 74.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the first stage of the final, before the medal match completes the day’s schedule.

The women’s skeet event is also expected to conclude tomorrow.

Chile’s Francisca Crovetto Chadid impressed in qualification today, scoring 25 in all three rounds to end on a total of 75.

Francisca Crovetto Chadid led women's qualification by two shots ©Getty Images
Francisca Crovetto Chadid led women's qualification by two shots ©Getty Images

Britain’s Amber Hill and International Olympic Committee member Danka Bartekova of Slovakia finished on 73.

Italy’s Martina Bartolomei and United States’ Caitlin Connor rounded off the top five on 72.

Germany’s Valentina Umhoefer and Nadine Messerschmidt, France’s Noemie Battualt and Sweden’s Victoria Larsson also achieved a total of 72 over three rounds.

Individual competition will be the focus tomorrow, before the men’s and women’s team skeet events on Thursday (April 28).

The World Cup will conclude with mixed team skeet competition on Friday (April 29).